Eagle Bay House | Interiors

The Eagle Bay House is located on a tranquil coastal lot within the Naturaliste peninsula of Western Australia’s south-west. This site represented a rare allotment with a single entry road access and direct frontage and access to the beach and clear uninterrupted views of Geographe Bay and the ocean expanse.

The site with its slight undulations allowed prime opportunities to separate the dwelling from the road through the thick existing coastal heath and to elevate the dwelling on the dune to optimise views of the scenic Eagle Bay coastline. Eagle Bay and the natural surrounding attributed to a sensitive design solution and design palette; long expanse of white sandy beaches, natural rock outcrops and blue grey undertones of the coastal heath, saltbush and indigenous peppermint tress native to this site.

In addition to fulfilling the clients brief to provide a modern holiday retreat was the understanding of the sensitivities of the location and the importance to provide a sympathetic design that ‘touched the ground lightly’ with minimal disruption to the natural setting. The selection of materials and finishes were a direct response to this unique beach setting, the beautiful surrounding coastal heath and ocean environment.

The project encompasses a combination of steel & timber framed construction clad entirely with timber weatherboards, reminiscent of the weatherboard beach ‘shack’ and material palettes of the coastal vernacular. The selection of Pacific Teak weatherboards to clad the facade provided a stable robust material that will age gracefully to provide a soft silver grey patina reminiscent of coastal driftwood and the indigenous coastal heath colours.

This construction methodology equally responded to the relatively remote location of the site and promoted the need to use easily accessible materials and local trades within the region; the use of timber lent itself to these restrictions, assisted to minimise the construction period.

The dwelling is designed over two levels within a simple ‘rectangular prism’. The ground floor accommodates bedrooms and a living area with direct access to the surrounding natural landscape and adjacent beachfront via a perimeter verandah. Ancillary areas, drying rooms and storage are also provided on the ground level.

The first floor, connected via a generous staircase and lift, provide a large comfortable living area for the retreat, furnished around a large fireplace and direct connection to the external terrace with elevated views to the beach and ocean 50m away.

The dwelling was carefully sited to limit the clearance of the existing large trees and minor modifications were conducted to the natural landscape for the entry road.

This timber clad dwelling has provided a simple yet sympathetic approach to integrating a new ‘beach shack’ within this unique coastal condition; material selections will allow the architecture to blend and camouflage into its natural coastal surroundings.